🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions following his visit to the United States within the framework of Russia’s UN Security Council Presidency

📍 New York, July 17, 2024

💬 I came to New York for two key events – open debates – that were held yesterday and today within the framework of Russia’s UN Security Council Presidency. Not only members of the Security Council but all other delegations could attend them. You saw how many of them did so.

The first issue we proposed for discussion yesterday concerned the conceptual framework of international relations, multilateralism and multipolarity. We pointed out the gradual erosion of system that was created after the Second World War on the basis of the central role of the UN.

I hope that you listened to my statement and to the statements made by other participants. We did not expect to come to agreement on the majority of issues, considering the current tensions on the international stage and the state of relations between the collective West and the Global Majority.

☝️ Although we had no big illusions, I believe that it was a useful discussion. At the very least, the overwhelming majority of participants agreed that we have problems. Many of them expressed opinions that coincide with our vision of the objective development of a multipolar world order, which I presented in my statement.

Another conclusion is that this discussion will most certainly be continued. There is an apparent interest for this, and it is growing. We will actively keep it up, and we will organise additional discussions on this issue not only at the UN but also at other multilateral platforms, including at the Group of Twenty, at associations such as #BRICS and the #SCO, as well as in the framework of our contacts with the regional organisations of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The restoration of trust is the top priority now, as the representative of Guyana pointed out yesterday. So far, there was no hint of dialogue. Another important statement he made was that trust could only be rebuilt if all parties without exception comply with the agreements reached. This is not the case so far. Examples of that were provided yesterday in my statement and in the statements of other participants.

Overwhelming evidence of that was also provided during today’s open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The overwhelming majority of the UN resolutions on Palestine have not been implemented. The second debate I have mentioned is not over yet. Many speakers have called for taking resolute steps. We hold a similar view. The first steps must include the termination of hostilities, a permanent ceasefire, the settlement of critical humanitarian problems and, of course, the termination of Israel’s actions to create illegal settlements. We hope that if or when this is done, this will create conditions for resuming negotiations on the implementation of UN decisions on the establishment of the Palestinian state that would live in peace and security with Israel.

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🤝 I have held a series of bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Arab countries, with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto, and with Head of the Federal Department (Minister) of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis.

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#Announcement

🗓 On September 15-22, 2024, the III Open World Astronomy Olympiad (OWAO) will take place in the Federal Territory “Sirius”.

The Olympiad is based on the best astronomical traditions, which brought together world-renowned specialists in the subject.

The event aims to strengthen scientific and educational partnerships with other countries as well as to identify talent in astronomy.

👉 The age of the Olympiad participants must not exceed 18 years, while the minimum age threshold is not established.

Not only captivating tasks but an extensive cultural program comprising lectures, creative and educational workshops and excursions are awaiting the participants. The program is available on the Olympiad website.

❗️Registration lasts until August 10, 2024.

#OWAO2024

🇷🇺 Address by Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Main Naval Parade to mark Russia’s Navy Day (St Petersburg, July 28, 2024)

💬 Congratulations on Navy Day, a special day we always celebrate officially, with respect and love for our glorious Navy and pride for our country, a maritime power.

Russia acquired this crucial status due to its geopolitical standing, great geographical discoveries and an immense contribution to the exploration of the World Ocean, but most importantly, to the victories, hard work, determination, courage, and talent of our naval commanders and sailors.

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🌐 We are sincerely delighted to welcome the crews of warships from Algeria, India and China as well as representatives of dozens of other foreign countries and delegations that have arrived for the Main Naval Parade to celebrate with us today and congratulate our sailors and commanders.

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⚠️ The US administration and the German government made a noteworthy statement concerning their plans to deploy US long-range precision missile systems in Germany in 2026.

The missiles could reach ranges of major Russian state and military facilities, administrative and industrial centres, and defence infrastructure. <...>

If the United States implements these plans, we will consider ourselves free from the previously assumed unilateral moratorium on the deployment of medium and shorter-range strike weapons, including increasing the capabilities of the coastal troops of our Navy.

Today, the development of such systems in Russia is nearing completion. We will take mirror measures to deploy them, taking into account the actions of the United States, its satellites in Europe and in other regions of the world.

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👉 Today, we are paying increasing attention to Washington’s efforts to escalate tensions in connection with the flights by Russian strategic aircraft. Just to remind you, Russian strategic missile carriers have not performed any air patrols far from our borders since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia thought this was no longer needed, with the world having changed and the Cold War becoming a thing of the past. However, the United States chose to ignore this unilateral gesture of goodwill and continued patrolling the space in the proximity of our borders.

So, since 2007, we have resumed such flights as a response to the increased activity from US strategic and reconnaissance aircraft in the regions that we believe are sensitive for us. The move has aimed, among other things, to ensure security in the Asia-Pacific region.

🎖 Today, I would like to particularly note that many naval crews are fearlessly fighting in hot spots along the engagement line during the special military operation. Just like their great ancestors, they fight to defend Sevastopol and other ports of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, delivering devastating blows to the enemy and destroying its military facilities.

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🎙 Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on the Ukraine crisis

💬 The criminal Kiev regime continues to deliver strikes at innocent civilians in Russian cities and villages. While suffering setbacks in the zone of combat operations, Ukrainian neo-Nazis carry out deadly terrorist attacks against the civilian population.

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▪️ On the night of August 6, Ukrainian militants attacked the town of Sudzha in the Kursk Region. Five people, including three children, were wounded and several residential buildings damaged.

▪️ On August 6, Ukrainian armed units used a drone to attack a moving vehicle in the Graivoron urban district in the Belgorod Region, killing one civilian.

▪️ On August 6-7, Ukrainian neo-Nazis launched a mass terrorist attack in the Kursk Region using considerable infantry forces and heavy armoured vehicles. Zelensky sent Ukrainian citizens into this meat grinder in order to quietly extend the deadly Ukrainian mobilisation for another three months. Today he signed the relevant law.

Russian Armed Forces fought back strongly against the enemy that sustained substantial losses. Meanwhile, according to the available information, 24 civilians, including six children, were wounded and injured in the Kursk Region as a result of the shelling by Ukrainian militants. A drone strike on an ambulance killed a paramedic and the driver.

By their barbarous attack in the Kursk Region Ukrainian Banderites attempted to spread panic among local population and show at least some activity amidst permanent drawbacks of the Ukrainian armed forces in the conflict area. Obviously, the neo-Nazis’ plans failed here as well.

❗️All these bloody crimes are taking place against a background of cynical silence on the part of the West, which continues to cover up for its puppets in Kiev. All this only strengthens the feeling of impunity of the Ukrainian neo-Nazis, who are confident that they can get away with any atrocity. We call on the international community not to stand aside and resolutely denounce the criminal actions committed by the Kiev regime.

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🔻On August 4, a grandiose handover ceremony took place in Ukraine for the F-16 fighter aircraft from NATO. Attending Zelensky was falling over himself saying thank you to his NATO sponsors. <...>

This step is part of the Western course for escalation of the Ukrainian crisis and does not create conditions for political and diplomatic settlement. <...>

The F-16 supplies for the Ukrainian Army will not become the magic pill that Kiev is betting on and will fail to have an effect on the situation in the combat zone. The Russian Armed Forces will consistently destroy them.

🔻 Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry Budanov once again declared plans to strike the Crimean Bridge. He claims that preparations are underway for more terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, on June 17, Ukrainian Navy spokesman Pletenchuk admitted that the Crimean Bridge no longer plays the same role for military logistics and, therefore, does not constitute a military target. Apparently, Kiev terrorists are maniacally seeking to destroy this civilian facility mainly to create panic among the population of the peninsula and tourists. Millions of Russians, including families with children, are using the Crimean Bridge for tourist purposes. <...>

👉 These facts prove yet again that the special military operation pursues timely objectives dealing with de-Nazifying and demilitarising Ukraine and removing threats coming from its territory. Make no mistake, we will deliver on all these objectives.

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⚡️ Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on the incoming reports alleging that the Kiev regime is preparing provocations against the Russian Federation’s nuclear facilities

💬 According to incoming reports, the Kiev regime has launched preparations for an attack targeting the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

Russia calls on international organisations, especially the United Nations and the IAEA, to immediately condemn the provocations by the Kiev regime and take action to prevent any threat that would compromise nuclear safety and security of the Kursk NPP, which could lead to a major man-made disaster in Europe.

Moreover, by taking such actions, Kiev not only poses a direct and immediate threat to nuclear stations, but also undermines the IAEA’s tenets regarding nuclear safety and security as articulated by the agency’s head, Rafael Grossi, in 2022.

❗️ The international community must recognise the danger the neo-Nazi Kiev regime poses to the European continent.

Together, we must demonstrate firmness and resolve to thwart any attempts to intimidate and terrorise entire regions and the international community at large.

⚡️ On the human rights situation in Ukraine — Joint Report of Russia's and Belarus' MFAs

Since 2014, when nationalists seized power in Kiev as a result of an anti-constitutional armed coup d'état orchestrated by the West, violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms in Ukraine have become widespread and systemic.

🔻 Glorification of Nazism

With active encouragement from their Western handlers, the government is working to mould the society on the basis of Nazi ideas.

☝️ To that end, Kiev is consistently spreading aggressive neo-Nazi propaganda accompanied by the rewriting of the history of the Great Patriotic War and World War II. It has become a deliberate state policy in Ukraine to glorify Nazism, encourage its penetration into all spheres of public life.

In recent years, nationalists and right-wing radicals, with the tacit support of the Ukrainian authorities, have started to disrupt events commemorating Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War and other significant dates, as well as anti-fascist events. As a rule, no follow-up measures are being taken in relation to the threats against anti-fascist activists. The Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have never prevented the illegal actions of these criminals and brought them to justice, instead allowing the radicals to hide and gagging their victims.

The actions of the nationalists are usually categorised as hooliganism, regardless of the motives and actual nature of their behaviour. At the same time, the authorities prosecute people for displaying Soviet symbols. Experts view such actions by the authorities as an attempt to intimidate activists, create an atmosphere in which they would be afraid to mention the fact that their relatives had fought in the Red Army.

🔻 Repressions

The degradation of the human rights situation affects Ukraine in many ways. It witnesses regular violations of the right to freedom and personal integrity, and records numerous cases of illegal arrests and subsequent detention, torture, intimidation, inhuman and cruel treatment, aimed primarily at forcing detainees to confess guilt.

❗️ Persecution of political opponents, independent journalists and media outlets, and members of public organizations undesirable for the government, has taken on an unprecedented scale; and it is frequently backed by claims about the need to confront "the Russian aggression" and "separatism". In furtherance of these policies, the government in Kiev is making use of radical nationalist groups which frequently break the law but remain untouchable.

Moreover, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens, including the elderly, women and children, have been dying and suffering in the 10 year old internal armed conflict unleashed by Kiev in the south-east of the country.

International human rights monitoring mechanisms have been recording numerous cases of illegal detention, torture, intimidation, ill-treatment, sexual violence, including those aimed at forcing confession or cooperation.

🔻 The persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), that the Kiev government has been trying to uproot from the country's confessional environment for many years, got under the blow of the Russophobic manifestations. A large-scale information campaign has been launched against the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church aimed at discrediting its priests in the eyes of the flock and creating an image of them as "collaborators of the enemy".

Slanderous rumours are spread about archpriests of parishes, numerous fake news are posted on social network saying the church hierarchs allegedly assist the Russian Armed Forces.

On a daily basis, the Ukrainian police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) accuse people of storing weapons, ammunition, and provisions for the "aggressor" in UOC churches.

Many cases of violent seizures of churches belonging to the canonical Church and their subsequent "transfer" to the schismatic structure created by the Kiev regime have been recorded.

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Israel dropped more than 70,000 tons of bombs on Gaza since last October, surpassing the scale of bombings of Dresden, Hamburg, and London combined during World War II.

Source: Anadolu News Agency.

🌍On this day we would like to draw your attention to excerpts from the Human Rights Report on Ukraine. At the same time as human rights violations continue under the current Ukrainian leadership, the authorities in Kiev celebrate Independence Day on August 24. Here’s more information about the troubling situation in Ukraine:

📑 Since 2014, when nationalists seized power in Kiev as a result of an anti-constitutional armed coup d'état orchestrated by the West, violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms in Ukraine have become widespread and systemic.

🌎 With active encouragement from their Western handlers, the government is working to mould the society on the basis of Nazi ideas. To that end, Kiev is consistently spreading aggressive neo-Nazi propaganda accompanied by the rewriting of the history of the Great Patriotic War and World War II.

🔹It has become a deliberate state policy in Ukraine to glorify Nazism, encourage its penetration into all spheres of public life, systemically suppress human rights, opposition and dissent in Ukraine, and fight against everything connected with Russia. At the same time, Ukraine is consistently pursuing a course of forced Ukrainianization of all spheres of public life and assimilation of national minorities.

▫️It is implanting a distorted version of history which diminishes the USSR's role in and contribution to the victory over Nazism, in order to destroy the historical memory of the Ukrainian people about the events of that war.

Source: Human Rights Situation in Certain Countries (The Joint Report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus)